How to Pay Your Unitil Electric or Gas Bill
Where and how to pay Unitil
Unitil is an electric and natural gas utility serving parts of New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. You can pay your Unitil bill online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The method you choose affects when the payment posts and whether you pay a fee.
Online payment through Unitil's website (unitil.com) is free and usually posts within one business day. Phone payment also works but typically costs a fee—Unitil charges for this convenience. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send them early if your due date is near. In-person payment at authorized locations (check Unitil's website for the nearest one) posts immediately but may also carry a small fee.
If you set up automatic payments through your bank account or debit card, Unitil withdraws the amount on a date you choose each month. This removes the risk of a late payment but requires you to monitor your account balance and update the arrangement if you move or change banks.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through Unitil's website is free and the fastest way to pay if you need the bill posted quickly.
- Phone and in-person payments may charge a fee, so compare the cost against the convenience before you choose that route.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.
- Automatic payments from your bank account remove the risk of forgetting, but you must keep enough money in your account and update the arrangement if your bank details change.
- Late payments trigger a late fee and can lead to service disconnection if the bill remains unpaid for 30 days or more.
Setting up automatic payments from your bank
Automatic payment is the most reliable way to avoid a late bill, because Unitil withdraws the money on the same date each month without you having to remember. You can set this up through Unitil's website by logging into your account, finding the payment settings, and entering your bank account or debit card details. Unitil will ask you to choose a payment date—pick a date after you normally receive income so the money is in your account.
Once automatic payment is active, Unitil sends you a confirmation email. Check your bank account a few days after the first automatic payment to confirm the amount and date are correct. If you need to change the payment date or amount, log back into your Unitil account and update it. If you close the bank account or change banks, you must update your payment information in your Unitil account, or the payment will fail and you will owe a late fee.
You can cancel automatic payments at any time through your account settings. If you do, remember to pay by another method before the due date, or your bill will be late.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your bill is not paid by the due date shown on your statement, Unitil charges a late fee. The amount varies by state and by the size of your bill, so check your bill or Unitil's website for the exact fee. The late fee is added to your next bill.
If your bill remains unpaid for 15 to 30 days (depending on your state), Unitil sends a disconnection notice. This notice tells you the date service will be shut off if you do not pay. You have a few days to pay the full amount owed—including the late fee—to stop the disconnection. If service is disconnected, you will also owe a reconnection fee to turn it back on, which can be $50 to $150 or more.
If you cannot pay the full bill by the due date, contact Unitil immediately. Many utilities offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months. Unitil may also have hardship programs if you are struggling with income loss or a medical emergency. Calling before the bill is late gives you more options than waiting until after disconnection notice arrives.
Payment plans and hardship programs
Unitil offers payment arrangements for customers who cannot pay the full bill at once. A payment plan breaks your bill into smaller amounts due on different dates. To set up a plan, call Unitil's customer service number (on your bill) and explain your situation. They will work with you to find dates and amounts that fit your budget.
If you are experiencing financial hardship—job loss, medical bills, or a temporary income drop—ask Unitil about hardship programs. These may include extended payment plans, temporary rate reductions, or bill forgiveness for a portion of what you owe. Unitil may ask for proof of hardship, such as a recent layoff notice or medical bill. Hardship programs vary by state, so the options available to you depend on where you live.
Some states also run utility assistance programs that pay part or all of your Unitil bill if you meet income requirements. These are usually run by your city or county. You can find local programs by calling 211 (a free referral line) or searching your state's energy assistance program online. These programs often have limited funding and may close when money runs out, so contact them as soon as you know you need help.
How ACH payments work and timing
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the electronic system that moves money from your bank account to Unitil. When you set up automatic payment or pay online using your bank account, the transaction goes through ACH. The process takes one to three business days: your bank holds the money, sends it through the ACH network, and Unitil's bank receives it. Unitil then posts the payment to your account.
This timing matters if your due date is soon. If you pay online on a Friday, the payment may not post until Monday or Tuesday, which could be after your due date. If you are cutting it close, pay by a method that posts the same day—phone payment (if you pay the fee) or in-person payment at a Unitil location. If you pay by mail, send it at least 10 days before the due date to account for postal delays.
If you set up automatic payment, Unitil usually processes it on the date you choose, but delays can happen if your bank is closed or if there is a holiday. Plan for automatic payments to post one to two days after the scheduled date, and keep extra money in your account as a buffer.
Paying by phone or mail
To pay by phone, call the number on your Unitil bill. A representative will ask for your account number and payment amount, then process the payment using your bank account or debit card. Phone payments usually post within one business day, but Unitil charges a fee for this service—typically $5 to $10 depending on the payment method. Ask the fee amount before you confirm the payment.
To pay by mail, write a check or money order, include your account number on the back, and mail it to the address on your bill. Do not send cash through the mail. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date. Keep a copy of the check or money order number for your records in case the payment gets lost.
Some Unitil customers can also pay in person at authorized payment locations. Check Unitil's website or call customer service to find a location near you. In-person payments usually post the same day but may carry a small fee.
Updating your payment method or address
If you move to a new address, update your information with Unitil as soon as possible. You can do this online through your account, by phone, or by mail. Updating your address ensures your bills arrive on time and your payments are credited to the correct account. If you do not update your address, bills may go to your old home and you could miss a due date without knowing it.
If you change banks or your debit card expires, update your payment method in your Unitil account right away. If automatic payment is set up and your bank details are no longer valid, the payment will fail. Unitil will send you a notice that the payment could not be processed, and you will owe a late fee if you do not pay by the due date. Log into your account and enter your new bank or card information, then make sure the next automatic payment goes through.
You can also change the payment date for automatic payments at any time. If you receive income on a different date or need to shift when money leaves your account, update the date in your account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Unitil bill with a credit card?
Unitil does not accept credit card payments directly through their website or phone line. You can pay with a debit card or bank account. Some third-party payment processors may accept credit cards to pay utilities, but they charge a fee and are not run by Unitil, so verify the site is legitimate before entering your information.
What if my automatic payment fails?
If your bank account does not have enough money when Unitil tries to withdraw the payment, the transaction will fail. Unitil sends a notice that the payment could not be processed. You must pay the bill manually by the due date to avoid a late fee. Update your bank information in your Unitil account if your account details have changed, or move your automatic payment date to after you receive income.
How long does it take to reconnect service after I pay a disconnection notice?
Once you pay the full amount owed, Unitil usually reconnects service within 24 hours on a business day. If you pay on a weekend or holiday, reconnection may take until the next business day. You will also owe a reconnection fee, which varies by state but is typically $50 to $150. Ask Unitil for the exact fee when you call to pay.
Can I get my bill reduced if I am on a fixed income?
Unitil may have rate reduction programs for seniors or customers with disabilities, depending on your state. Call Unitil customer service to ask what programs are available where you live. You may also be able to get help through your state's utility assistance program by calling 211.
What if I think my Unitil bill is wrong?
Review your bill for the meter reading, usage amount, and rate. If something looks incorrect, call Unitil customer service with your account number and the details you question. Unitil can explain how the bill was calculated and may investigate if there is an error. Do not refuse to pay while disputing the bill—pay the amount you believe is correct and explain the dispute in writing so you do not incur a late fee.